The Burke County Medical Society and Carolinas Health Care System Blue Ridge have teamed up to offer free thermometers to families receiving free meals through Burke County Public Schools.

The thermometers will be available beginning Tuesday at the eight local school food distribution sites.

The Thermometers are intended for any community member who does not currently have a working thermometer in their home.

One of the symptoms of the coronavirus health workers screen for is temperature.

The definition of fever is a reading of 100-point-4 degrees or higher when taken under the tongue.

Health experts say knowing the specific temperature is imperative for clinicians to be able to make appropriate decisions for patients.

Thermometers are also available at the Burke County Health Department, several physician offices, urgent cares, emergency departments, EMS, churches and homeless shelters.

The Burke County Medical Society is a community-based organization of physicians and physician assistants who work closely with the NC Medical Society on a variety of healthcare advocacy projects.

Governor Roy Cooper announced Monday that he will be signing an executive order that will close all public K-12 schools until May 15^th.

The governor says the May 15^th date was decided by looking at public health guidance from the CDC.

Cooper also reported unemployment claims had soared to over 100-thousand last week, with 87-percent of those related to COVID-19.

In his executive order, the governor has also called for the closing of hair salons, barber shops, gyms, movie theaters and similar businesses by 5 pm on Wednesday.

He states restaurants and bars can remain open, but only for delivery or take out meals.

Grocery stores will also remain open for business, while Governor Cooper urges citizens to refrain from over-shopping.

Three new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Catawba County bringing the county’s current total of cases to 4.

Catawba County health officials received the positive test results Monday prompting an immediate investigation.

They report two cases are from contact with known cases elsewhere; however, the cause of the third remains under investigation.

All three patients are reported to be doing well in home isolation.

Public Health is working to identify close contacts who may be affected and is further advising them on appropriate monitoring and testing.

Pinecrest Senior Living Center in Hickory is the site of Catawba County’s first coronavirus case announced last Friday.

The Catawba Health Director reports the center has taken precautions to prevent spread of the disease.

At last report, the resident from the retirement facility was hospitalized in isolation.

Investigators with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office are looking for teenage runaway stepsisters.

15-year-old Kayla Faye Montaigne and 14-year-old Shane Star Bulluck left their Hankins Road home Sunday evening just before 7 and haven’t been seen by family members since.

Montaigne is white, 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, has blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Bulluck is white, is 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, has hazel eyes, and long straight brown hair.

Anyone having information concerning their whereabouts should call the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2235.